Tucson in Arizona

Green city surrounded by mountains

Located on the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona, Tucson is on a plateau surrounded by mountains. About half a million people live in Tucson, in southern Arizona, and a million people in the wider region.

Cityscape of Tucson, Arizona

According to Mcat-test-centers, the name “Tucson” originates from the language of the Native Americans who once lived there and means something like: “At the foot of the black mountain”. The region, which is very warm and sunny in summer, has been proven to have been inhabited by Indians around 14,000 years ago, who were most likely engaged in agriculture.

Tucson – founded by Spaniards

The first “whites” came to the area at the end of the 17th century, in the form of a missionary, a Jesuit priest. At the end of the 18th century, a settlement was founded by Spaniards on the site of today’s Sedona, which became Mexican after Mexico’s declaration of independence. In 1853 Arizona became part of the United States of America.

University town surrounded by mountains

At the end of the 19th century the ” University of Arizona ” was founded in Tucson, the oldest university in the USA. The very green city of Tucson is surrounded by several mountain ranges, the Tucson Mountains, Santa Catalina Mountains, Tortolita Mountains, Rincon Mountains and the Santa Rita Mountains.

Mission San Xavier del Bac – Spanish Mission Church just south of Tucson

Attractions near Tucson

North of Tuscon is the facility of “Biosphere 2”. There, life is explored in independence from the outside world, with its own ecosystems in glass-clad buildings. A well-known building south of the city of Tucson is the mission church “Mission San Xavier del Bac”, a historic church building by the Spaniards.

Military base

The American military operates a base in Tucson, and numerous companies have settled there as suppliers of military technology. Tucson offers a lively cultural offering with museums and theaters. The numerous students in the city contribute a lot to cultural life.

Horseshoe Bend – Arizona – USA

Natural Monument on the Colorado River

Horseshoe Bend is a meander of the Colorado River on its way through Arizona. The greenish flowing Colorado has chosen its way through a deep, red canyon. The Colorado River forms an almost 360° loop there. Inside the loop is a rock formation that is vaguely reminiscent of a horse’s hoof. Hence the name “Horseshoe Bend”.

Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend in Arizona

Flight over the Horseshoe

The very worth seeing natural monument made of stone, formed by wind and water, is easily accessible via Highway 89 near the small town of Page in Arizona. Visitors to the relatively nearby Grand Canyon should definitely take the sight “Horseshoe Bend” with them, the detour will be worthwhile. Scenic flights over Horseshoe Bend are also available. Interested parties should inform themselves about this in Page or beforehand on the Internet.

A relatively short walk leads from a small car park to the viewpoint over Horseshoe Bend. From there you can explore the loop of the Colorado River from the canyon rim along a dirt trail. There is no way down to the water, to the banks of the Colorado River.

Antelope Canyon in Arizona

Shaped by wind and water

Antelope Canyon is centrally located on the northern Arizona border near the town of Page within the Navajo Native Reservation. Over the millennia, the canyon was formed by the water of Antelope Creek, a creek that suddenly and briefly turns into a torrential river during torrential downpours. One thing is to be said: the shapes and colors of the rocks, which show a different shade of color depending on the light, are incredibly impressive and beautiful. No artist in the world can recreate this wonder of nature. With weighs on another star.

Rocks in Antelope Canyon

Pure tourism during the holiday season

Antelope Canyon is called Slot Canyonreferred to, a gorge formed by the water. The canyon consists of two parts, which are divided into “Upper” and “Lower”. The two sections of Antelope Canyon are within the Navajo Reservation not far from Lake Powell. The whole area is fully developed for tourism. Visiting the canyons is not free. A sightseeing tour takes about 1.5 hours. Tickets can cost up to $90 per person, so it’s not exactly a cheap treat. Cameras can be carried along, tripods are prohibited. From a collection point, visitors are transported to the highlights of Antelope Canyon. The best times to explore Antelope Canyon are at sunset and sunrise. Only at this time “awaken”

Heavy rain is life-threatening

When rain is announced, the canyons are closed for inspection because heavy rain is life-threatening. In 1997, a downpour killed tourists inside the canyon. As beautiful as the narrow canyons are, when it rains they can fill up with water in a matter of seconds. As a human you are then lost.

As if from another planet – Antelope Canyon

Nature as an architect

The well-known, smooth rocks are mainly to be found in Upper Antelope Canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon, a few kilometers from “Upper”, impresses more with its impressive rock arches. You can also approach the polished rock formations from the north, but only from the water. With a small boat you can approach the narrowing gorge. At peak tourist times, approaching from the north is an alternative.